Hodgkin's Disease - Signs, Symptoms, Picture, Causes and Treatment of Hodgkins Disease

Usually Hodgkin's Disease starts in the lymph nodes and then involves the skin. Lesions may be specific or non-specific. The specific lesions consist of crops of papules or nodules on the trunk and limbs. Some of them may show urtication and others ulceration; few develop central necrosis. Itching may be marked. Glands are enlarged. Acquired erythroderma, pigmentation of Addison 's type, pruritus and alopecia are frequently seen. Extensive and fulminating herpes zoster is sometimes a skin marker.

Histology reveals, in addition to pleomorphism common to all reticuloses, a special type of giant cell-Dorothy-Reed cell.

What is Hodgkin's Disease?

Hodgkin's Disease is an unusual cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system which is characterized by painless enlargement of lymphatic tissues and the spleen. It is also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma. Each year 1300 peoples die because of this disease in US. It is mostly occur to the male, in the age between 15 to 35.

Causes of Hodgkin's Disease

The cause of Hodgkin's Disease is not known. It is mostly occur to the young person in the age of 20. the research for cause is going on. There are some factors which may cause to this disease are as follows-

• It may occur in the people who are taking medicine after heart transplant and who is the patient of HIV.
• Infection with virus like Epstein Barr virus may trigger the problem of this disease in future.
• It is not infectious and therefore it can not  passed on from one person to other.

Symptoms of Hodgkin's Disease

• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck
• Night sweats
• tiredness
• Weight loss because of loss of appetite
• A cough or breathlessness
• Itching

Prognosis of Hodgkin's Disease

Prognosis is not favorable. A detailed systemic examination should be undertaken to assess visceral involvement.

Treatment of Hodgkin's Disease

Treatment is palliative. It consists of radio-therapy, steroids, hormones and chemotherapy.